In honor of National Cat day, I'll answer the question I often get - "Djinn seems so real - do you have much experience with cats?"

Ohhh yes. My mother was a cat lover who could not resist a stray and took in all the cats that wandered up our country drive. I can't remember a period without cats purring on my lap, and I can't imagine living without them clinging to my curtains and clawing the sides of my couch. We decorate for the cats. I grew up surrounded by cats, dressing the tolerant ones up in doll clothes and dragging them into the stories I'd created. We had the Siamese cats Sam and Sindy. In Delroy we added Mama Kitty. When we moved to Ragersville more came along - Tigger, Patches, Boots, Cola, Jackie and Brynn. In college I adopted Chester, whom I've written about at length, and Cindy-Lou. I married and became step-cat-mom to Bart and Lisa.

Right now we have five cats of various colors, sizes and temperaments. All are adopted from cat rescues or kindly veterinarians.

Our oldest cat right now is Phoebe, who is 15 years young. She's one of those persnickety grey cats and is often quite disappointed with me as her minion. Too much ordering her off counters and not enough catnip and treats.

Then came Willow. She was rejected by her mother at birth and bottle fed by a compassionate veterinarian assistant. She was tiny when she came to us. We learned not to bend over in front of her or she'd jump on our back and ride our shoulders - just like Amber in The Obsidian Temple.

Then came Zoot. He was from the same Vet as Willow and was the friendliest kitten in the room. I liked his outgoing nature and brought him home. Please note: if you are inclined to be a crazy cat lady, do not pick a veterinarian who is also a kitten rescue.

About a year after my beloved Chester passed away we adopted BIngley from the same vet. His mom was feral and he was more used to other cats than humans. He adores my husband, but I'm the clean-up lady he tolerates. And he loves, loves, loves Zoot - and Zoot loves him back. Seriously - it's hard to get separate pictures of them, but they are so cute I don't try.

And last - we have Ember. She was taken from a high-kill shelter by a local rescue group and adopted by us a couple years ago. Bingley attempted to kill her for two months and then suddenly accepted her. We think that may be why she has turned into a supervillian. Yes she is the personality model for Amber in The Obsidian Temple. Yes, she knows she is gorgeous. Don't hate her because she's beautiful - hate her because she's delectably evil. You notice who got the prime window space in that last photo - 7lbs of pure cat-ness even the 14 lb Bingley doesn't mess with.

So that is my crazy cat lady starter pack. I've realized that if I want to become a true CCL I'll need a bigger house to contain all the kitty litter boxes. So my couches and chairs are clawed, the curtains climbed, large catfur-bunnies float around the room and we never sleep in because the cats need fed. But I'm also never without a reading companion and on long winter nights I often have two or three cats warming my legs as I fall asleep to a comforting purr.

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I am a writer, with a three book contract with HarperCollins Voyager Impulse for my Desert Rising Fantasy novel series. I also teach yoga and give yoga workshops and sing kirtan with my husband, Brian.